Photomedical treatment system and method with a virtual aiming device

ABSTRACT

A photomedical system and method for treating and/or diagnosing a patient&#39;s eye that includes a first light source for producing light, a scanning device for deflecting the light to produce a pattern of the light on the eye, a viewing element positioned to view the eye by a user or physician, and an alignment element aligned to the viewing element and the scanning device for optically indicating through the viewing element a location on the eye on which the pattern of the light will be located, but without projecting any alignment light onto the eye.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)of U.S. Ser. No. 60/731,618, filed on Oct. 28, 2005, the entire contentof which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention provides apparatus, method and system forphotomedical treatment using an optical system.

2. Background Information

Ophthalmic laser treatment is widely used today to treat variousconditions such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related maculardegeneration. Typically, multiple spot laser therapy is performed byutilizing slit-lamp delivery or probes that are inserted into the eye.In a slit-lamp-mounted laser delivery device, the slit lamp is arrangedto allow easy illumination and microscopic viewing of the eye of aseated patient. Slit lamps used in laser treatment/surgery include ahigh-brightness illuminator and microscope mounted on a shared pivotpoint. This arrangement allows the viewing angle of the microscope andilluminator to be changed as often as desired without moving the fieldof illumination or visualization.

Laser treatment/surgery requires high precision laser beam aiming, andoften uses an aiming beam to create an alignment pattern to “mark” thetarget area on or within the patient's eye. Commonly, the separateaiming beam and the treatment beam are combined to propagate in a sharedpath, and both are projected onto the target tissue in the patient'seye. The physician, who is viewing the patient's eye, moves thealignment pattern onto the desired target tissue. The treatment beamwhich is coincident with the alignment pattern is then activated. Inthis configuration, the alignment pattern (which can be one or morespots, or a scanned image), is a “real” image because it is an actualpattern of light intentionally projected onto (and subsequently viewedfrom) the actual target tissue.

While the use of an aiming beam that is coincident with the treatmentbeam at the targeted eye structure works well in most situations, it hasits shortcomings. For example, because the aiming beam is opticallycoupled to the patient's eye, the patient sees the alignment patternbefore and/or during treatment. There may also be associated safetyand/or patient discomfort issues because the aiming beam irradiance isin general higher in the patient's eye than in the physician's eye. Insome procedures, it is preferable for the patient to not see the aimingbeam. An ophthalmic laser treatment/surgery technique and device thatallows the physician but not the patient to see the alignment pattern isdesired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the aforementioned problems by providing aphotomedical system and technique for treating and/or diagnosing apatient's eye, which generates an alignment pattern for the physician oruser, but without the necessity of projecting aiming beam light onto theeye.

A photomedical system for treating and/or diagnosing a patient's eyeincludes a first light source for producing light, a scanning device fordeflecting the light to produce a pattern of the light on the eye, aviewing element positioned to view the eye, and an alignment elementaligned to the viewing element and the scanning device for opticallyindicating through the viewing element a location on the eye on whichthe pattern of the light will be located without projecting alignmentlight onto the eye.

A photomedical system for treating and/or diagnosing a target object canalso include a light source for producing light, a pattern generationunit for directing a pattern of the light to the target object, aviewing element positioned to view the target object, an alignmentelement optically coupled to the viewing element for defining atreatment zone on the target object, and a controller for controllingthe pattern generation unit to direct the pattern of the light onlywithin the treatment zone of the target object.

A method of performing a photomedical treatment or diagnosis of a targetobject includes generating an image of the target object on a viewingelement, generating a virtual alignment pattern on the viewing element,without projecting the virtual alignment image onto the target object,to define a treatment zone of the target object, generating light, andprojecting the light onto the target object and only within thetreatment zone defined by the virtual alignment pattern.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentby a review of the specification, claims and appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a square shaped virtual alignment pattern thatdefines a treatment zone within a visualized area of tissue.

FIG. 2 illustrates a circular shaped virtual alignment pattern thatdefines a treatment zone within a visualized area of tissue.

FIG. 3 illustrates a virtual alignment pattern of a plurality of spotsthat defines treatment zones within a visualized area of tissue.

FIG. 4 illustrates an annular shaped virtual alignment pattern thatdefines a treatment zone within a visualized area of tissue.

FIG. 5 illustrates a square shaped virtual alignment pattern withshading that defines a treatment zone within a visualized area oftissue.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate varying sizes of a square shaped virtualalignment pattern that defines a treatment zone within a visualized areaof tissue.

FIG. 7 illustrates treatments spots within the treatment zone outlinedby a square virtual alignment pattern.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the photomedicaltreatment system.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the photomedicaltreatment system.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the photomedicaltreatment system.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of thephotomedical treatment system.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of the photomedicaltreatment system.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are examples of alignment elements that may be used withthe system of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a sixth embodiment of the photomedicaltreatment system.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a seventh embodiment of thephotomedical treatment system.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an eighth embodiment of thephotomedical treatment system.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a ninth embodiment of the photomedicaltreatment system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As described above, a typical photomedical treatment entails projectingan aiming beam directly onto the target tissue (e.g., a structure on orwithin a patient's eye) to generate an alignment pattern thereon. Apattern can be one or more stationary or moving spots, or an image orshaped object scanned or otherwise created. A physician can see theprojected aiming beam alignment pattern on the patient's eye, and alignthis pattern to the desired target tissue thus aligning the treatmentbeam(s) which are coincident therewith. With this treatment method, thepatient also sees the aiming beam alignment pattern. Thetreatment/diagnosis method of the invention employs an aiming devicethat is optically coupled primarily to the physician's eye and not thepatient's eye. This is accomplished by generating a virtual alignmentpattern that the physician can see and use to align the treatmentbeam(s), but without projecting the alignment pattern onto the targettissue. Thus, while the physician sees an image of the patient's eyeshared with an alignment pattern superimposed thereon, the patient doesnot see the alignment pattern. The system of the invention achieves thissharing of the eye image with the alignment pattern by using a virtualalignment pattern located at an image plane that is conjugate to thetargeted eye structure.

As used herein, a “real” alignment pattern is one in which aiming beamlight is actually projected onto the target tissue, and which issubsequently scattered and/or reflected from the target tissue andviewed by the physician or user. A “virtual” alignment pattern is onewhich aiming beam light is superimposed onto the view of the targettissue but without projecting this light pattern onto the tissue itself.The virtual alignment pattern does not rely upon the interaction of theaiming beam light with the targeted tissue in order for the physician oruser to obtain a view of the alignment pattern.

One way to create a virtual alignment pattern superimposed on an imageof target tissue is to employ a physical pattern in an alignment elementas part of the visual aiming device, where a physical pattern is placedin the optical train between the tissue and either the physician's eyeor the image capturing device. FIGS. 1 through 6B illustrate examples ofvirtual alignment patterns 54 that may be used with the system of theinvention to outline or otherwise identify treatment zones 55 withinvisualized areas 52 of the target tissue. FIGS. 8-12 and 16 areschematic diagrams of systems using physical patterns to create avirtual alignment pattern. FIG. 7 illustrates the virtual alignmentpattern 54 superimposed on the visualized area 52 of tissue thusdefining the treatment zone 55 in which the treatment beams 56 areapplied.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the virtual alignment pattern. In thephysician's view 50 of the visualized area 52 of the target tissue, avirtual alignment pattern 54 is superimposed thereon to define atreatment zone 55 within the visualized area 52 of the tissue. Thevisualized area 52 is a general region of the patient's retina includingthe part that needs to be treated, and the treatment zone 55 is wherethe treatment beam(s) are to be aimed. As will be described later, auser of the system positions the virtual alignment pattern 54 over thedesired part of the target object for treatment before the treatmentbeam(s) are activated. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the treatment zone55 has a rectangular shape. The physical pattern used to generate thevirtual alignment pattern 54 is positioned within the system such thatall the treatment beam(s) are projected only onto target tissue withinthe treatment zone 55 defined by the virtual alignment pattern 54.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the virtual alignment pattern 54,wherein the treatment zone 55 defined thereby is a single circular spot.FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the virtual alignment pattern 54,wherein the treatment zones 54 defined there by is an array of spots.FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the virtual alignment pattern 54,wherein the treatment zone 54 defined thereby has an annular shape suchthat a central portion 57 is untreated. This annular shaped treatmentzone 55 may be used, for example, in photocoagulation about the fovea.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the virtual alignment pattern 54,wherein a shading or a different color is used outside of the treatmentzone 55 to more clearly distinguish the outer boundaries thereof. Theshape and size of the treatment zone 55 in FIG. 5 is substantially thesame-as that in FIG. 1. However, the shading/coloring provides enhancedvisual contrast between the treatment zone 55 and the rest of thevisualized area 52.

FIG. 6A and 6B illustrate how the size of the alignment pattern 54 andthus the treatment zone 55 defined thereby is changeable within the samevisualized area 52. This change in size can be affected by reducing thesize the alignment pattern 54, which will automatically coincide with areduction in the size of the treatment zone 55 treated by the treatmentbeam(s).

FIG. 7 shows an image of the patient's eye as viewed by the user(physician) during treatment shared with the virtual alignment patternof FIG. 1. The shared image shows the treatment spots 56 in thetreatment zone 55. The laser source, or its scanner, is calibrated toonly treat that portion of the tissue falling within the boundaries ofthe treatment zone 55 as defined by the virtual alignment pattern 54. Inthe particular example of FIG. 7, the treatment beams 56 are programmedto evenly fill the treatment zone 55. A scanned beam may be positionedonto the corners of the treatment zone 55, and data may be stored todefine the maximum allowed treatment pattern boundaries. With theimaging system fixed both in position and magnification, the location ofthe treatment beam spots within the visualized area 52 can be accuratelycontrolled. The treatment beam(s) may then be automatically delivered tostay within the confines of the visible boundaries of the treatment zone55. With the use of the virtual alignment pattern 54, an aiming beamprojected onto the target tissue is unnecessary to accurately direct thetreatment beam(s) to the proper locations on the target tissue.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the photomedicaltreatment system 100, which employs a virtual alignment pattern. Asshown, the photomedical treatment system 100 includes atreatment/diagnostic light source 10, a variable magnification unit 92(e.g., as within a microscope), and the alignment element 54 a with aphysical pattern used to generate the virtual alignment pattern 54. Anobjective lens 96, which may be infinity-corrected, is located betweenthe magnification unit 92 and a pattern generation unit 18. Thealignment element 54 a can be any moving or stationary blockage,tinting, shaped aperture, scribed or imprinted optic or window, LCDscreen, etc. through which the image of the target tissue is viewed. Asimple example is scribing or imprinting spots or lines on an opticalelement such as a lens or transparent window. The alignment element maybe illuminated so that it is visible to the user only by the lightassociated with the microscope illumination returning from the patient'seye, or by a dedicated alignment element light source, or by lightself-generated by the alignment element. A user's eye 34 (e.g., aphysician's eye) views a target object 1 through a viewing element 94and the alignment element 54 a. The pattern generation unit 18 isaligned with the alignment element 54 a such that it projects thetreatment beam(s) only onto that portion of the target object 1 that isviewable through the alignment element 54 a (and thus is containedwithin the virtual alignment pattern 54). Preferably, the alignmentelement 54 a is positioned at the intermediate image plane of thevariable magnification unit 92. The pattern generation unit 18 caninclude one or more moving optical elements (using galvos, piezoelectric devices, motors, etc.) as part of a scanner 19 that scansspots, lines or shapes of treatment light onto the object 1. In itssimplest form, pattern generation unit 18 can image a single, non-movingspot onto the object 1. In a more complicated form, pattern generationunit 18 can adjust the size/extent of the treatment pattern to coincidewith the target region displayed to the user at the selectedmagnification.

In operation, the user aligns the target object 1 to the system 100 (orvice versa) so that the tissue intended to be treated is positionedinside the area viewable inside the virtual alignment pattern 54 (asdictated by alignment element 54 a). Specifically, the area of tissuefor treatment is positioned inside the virtual alignment pattern 54 asviewed through viewing element 94. The user also sets up the controllerunit 18a for the pattern generation unit 18 so that the treatment beamis of a desired shape, size, and/or pattern within the virtual alignmentpattern 54. Then, while viewing the visualized area 52 of the targetobject 1, the user activates the light source 10 to produce a treatmentbeam 11. If the treatment requires multiple spots or a scannedimage/shape, the treatment beam 11 is converted to multiple beams orbeams of the desired shape by a pattern generation unit 18. The patterngeneration unit 18 may convert the treatment beam 11 to one or moretreatment beams by either temporal or spatial division. In theparticular embodiment of FIG. 8, the pattern generation unit 18 includesscanner 19 and a mirror 21. The scanner 19 creates sequential ormultiple treatment beams, and the mirror 21 directs the treatment beamsto the part of the target object 1 that is within the intended treatmentzone 55 as defined by the virtual alignment pattern 54. The user's viewof the visualized area 52 is enhanced by a viewing element 94 (e.g. alens), magnification unit 92, lens 96, and a contact lens 97 that may beused in contact with the object 1. The treatment/diagnostic light source10 may be a diode-pumped solid state laser, gaseous laser, semiconductorlaser, light emitting diode, flash lamp, etc.

In this embodiment, the virtual alignment pattern 54 is imaged directlyinto the user's eye (via the alignment element 54 a) without projectingthe alignment pattern onto the object 1. Thus, the treatment beam(s) areeasily and accurately aligned to the target tissue simply by aligningthat tissue to the virtual alignment pattern 54, where the treatmentbeam(s) will be seen as overlaid on the treatment zone 55 defined by thealignment pattern 54.

The variable magnification unit 92 is a well known device that includesmultiple sets of optics that can be interchanged to achieve the desiredmagnification level. For example, the interchangeable optics may bemounted in a turret-style configuration where the sets of optics arerotated and locked into position as in a laboratory-style microscope.The magnification selection can be utilized by the controller 18 a ifnecessary to ensure that the treatment zone 55 as defined by the virtualalignment pattern 54 and viewed by the user is fully filled with thetreatment beam(s).

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a photomedical system 100 in accordancewith a second embodiment of the invention, which is similar to that ofFIG. 8, but additionally includes a fiber unit 42 for optical beamdelivery, a fixation source 10 a to help minimize the patient's eyemovement, and a more complex pattern generation unit 18. Thephotomedical system 100 includes a CPU 12, an input/output device 14, alight generation unit 15, an imaging unit 16, and the pattern generationunit 18. The CPU 12 controls the light generation unit 15, the imagingunit 16, and the pattern generation unit 18 via the input/output device14. The user 34 views the treatment site of the target object 1 via theimaging unit 16. The CPU 12 may be a microprocessor, microcontroller, orany other type of suitable control electronics. A slit lamp microscopeillumination device may be added for better illumination of (and viewingof) the target eye tissue.

As shown, the light generation unit 15 is optically coupled to thepattern generation unit 18 by a fiber unit 42, thus allowing these unitsto be physically separated. The combining mirror 21 of the patterngeneration unit 18 directs the treatment beam(s) 11 to the target object1. The user 34, who views the visualized area 52 of the target object 1through the objective lens 96, the variable magnification device 92, andthe alignment element 54 a of the imaging unit 16, sees a shared imageof the treatment beam spots in the treatment zone 54. The alignmentelement 54 a is preferably placed at the intermediate image plane of thevariable magnification device 92.

The light generation unit 15 includes the target/diagnostic light source10. The light source 10 is controlled by the CPU 12 via the input andoutput (I/O) device 14 to generate the treatment beam 11, whosecenterline is shown by dashed lines. The treatment beam 11, upon beinggenerated by the light source 10, encounters mirror M1 which directs afirst portion of the treatment beam 11 to a photodiode PD1. Thephotodiode PD1 may be replaced with other types of sensors, asappropriate. The photodiode PD1 serves to sample and measure the powerof the light for safety purposes. A second portion of the light from themirror M1 that is not directed to the photodiode PD1 goes to a shutterS, which acts as a gate to the treatment beam 11. The shutter S controlsthe treatment beam 11 to produce discrete spots or a continuous supplyof the optical beam to create continuous scans as a means to produce thedesired treatment pattern. If the shutter S blocks the light, thetreatment beam 11 does not travel any further. On the other hand, if theshutter S lets the light pass, the treatment beam 11 goes on to mirrorM2 and mirror M3. Mirror M2 is a turning mirror that may be used inconjunction with mirror M3 and mirror M4 to align the treatment beam 11into the fiber unit 42. A focusing lens L1 may be employed to help focusthe treatment beam 11 into the fiber unit 42.

An optional a fixation beam light source 10 a may be incorporated intothe light generation unit 15 to provide an optical beam that helps“fixate” the patient's gaze during the treatment. The fixation beamgenerated by the fixation light beam source 10 a utilizes the sameoptical path as the treatment beam 11 by passing through mirror M3 andbeing delivered through the fiber unit 42. A second photodiode PD2 maybe used to sample the optical beam after the fixation beam is combinedwith the treatment beam path.

The pattern generation unit 18 receives the treatment beam 11 thattraveled through the fiber unit 42. Lenses L2, L3, and L4 and a mirror21 of the pattern generation array 18 function to direct the treatmentbeam 11 to the target object 1. Light exiting the optical fiber unit 42first encounters lens L2 and becomes collimated before entering the lensL3. Lens L3 may be a single lens or a compound lens, and can beconfigured as a zoom lens for adjusting the intrinsic size of the beamthat comprises the pattern. The lens L3 allows easy adjustment of thesize of the pattern on the retina R, and is controlled by the CPU 12.The light coming out of the lens L3 passes through a pair of movingmirrors G1, G2 that either divide the treatment beam 11 into multiplebeams or scan the treatment beam 11 in a treatment pattern. Thetreatment beams or pattern enter the lens L4, which images the opticalmidpoint of the scanner mirrors G1, G2 onto the mirror 21 to minimizethe size of the mirror 21 in an attempt to increase the overall solidangle subtended by the pattern generation unit 18.

In operation, the user aligns the target object to the system 100 (orvice versa) and treats the object 1 as described above. The user mayalign the target tissue to the virtual alignment pattern using a usercontrol unit 20, such as a joystick or a keyboard, and or with a graphicuser interface (GUI).

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the photomedicaltreatment system 100. In this embodiment, the viewing element 94includes a camera or some other image-capturing device 60, such as ascanning laser ophthalmoscope or an optical coherence tomograph inaddition to an eyepiece. As shown, an image collection device 60,instead of the user 34, “views” the target object 1 through theeyepiece. The collected image is then sent to a screen or a graphic userinterface (GUI) for the user to view. The user 34, who indirectly viewsthe target object 1 on the screen or the GUI, adjusts the position ofthe target tissue relative to the treatment zone 55 of the system(defined by the virtual alignment pattern 54), such that only thatportion of target shown within the confines of the virtual alignmentpattern 54 as viewed by the viewing element 94 will receive thetreatment beam.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of thephotomedical treatment system 100. This embodiment is a combination ofthe photomedical treatment system 100 of FIG. 9 and the imagingconfiguration of FIG. 10. As shown, the image collection device 60 ispart of the viewing element 94 in this embodiment. The image “viewed” bythe image collection device 60 is indirectly viewed by the user 34through a display 62 (e.g., a monitor). FIG. 12 is a schematic diagramof a fifth embodiment of the photomedical treatment system 100. Thisembodiment is substantially similar to the fourth embodiment, exceptthat it employs a GUI 64 and not a display 62 to display the image ofthe target object 1.

As described above, the mechanism for generating the virtual alignmentpattern 54 is the use of a physical pattern disposed somewhere along theoptical train between the targeted eye structure and the viewer. Suchvirtual alignment patterns are passive with respect to the light fromthe targeted tissue, in that the image from the target actually passesthrough the element that creates the pattern. However, the virtualalignment pattern can also be generated outside of this optical train,and projected onto the viewing element and therefore to the user (butnot onto the target tissue) to define what portion of the object willreceive the treatment beam(s), as follows.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are exemplary physician's views 70 of the visualizedarea 52 of the target tissue, with a projected virtual alignment pattern80 superimposed thereon. Projected virtual alignment patterns 80 havethe same appearance and functionality of the patterns 54 describedabove, but differ in how they are generated. Instead of using aalignment element 54 a in the optical train between the target tissueand viewer, a pattern of light is injected into the optical train andtoward the user, so that only the user and not the patient can see lightthat forms the virtual alignment pattern 80. This approach of projectingthe virtual alignment pattern could readily adapt to differentmicroscope magnifications and/or spot/pattern sizes and shapes whilestill providing the same inherent accuracy as the static approach. Thisheads-up display configuration could also display system information 57in the same view, such as the laser power, pulse duration, etc. byprojecting the information onto the viewing element 94. Displaying thesystem information 57 provides convenience for the user, especially ifthe controls for the displayed parameters were made to be accessiblewithout the need to look away from the patient.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a sixth embodiment of the photomedicaltreatment system 100, utilizing a projected virtual alignment pattern80. The general layout of the sixth embodiment is similar to theembodiment of FIG. 12, except that the alignment element 54 a isreplaced with a combining mirror 67, an alignment element 69, and anillumination source 66. An optional lens may also be used. Theillumination source 66 provides a light beam that passes through thealignment element 69. The combining mirror 67 receives the pattern fromthe alignment element 69 and projects it onto the viewing element 94.Alignment element 69 can have the same possible configurations asalignment element 54 a described above. Alternately, alignment element69 can be incorporated as part of the illumination source 66, or couldeven be a moving element such as a scanner that generates patterns.

The viewing element 94 “sees” the projected virtual alignment pattern 80on the target object 1 at the magnification level that is set by thevariable magnification device 92. In this particular embodiment, theimage collection device 60 forwards the “viewed” image to a screen forthe user. The user is able to adjust the virtual alignment pattern 80through the CPU 12, either to adjust the pattern itself and/or thelocation of the pattern on the image of the target object 1. Then, CPU12 can adjusts the pattern generation unit 18 as necessary so that thetreatment beam(s) are arranged to align with the projected virtualalignment pattern, and thereafter the light generation unit 15 isactivated.

If the illumination source 66 generates broadband light, a broadbandbeamsplitter could be used as the combining mirror 67. However, doing sowill reduce the amount of imaging light. Changing the illuminationsource to a single-color device would allow for the combining mirror tobe a photopically balanced dichroic optical element that is matched tothe illumination source to ameliorate the losses associated with using abroadband combiner.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the aboveexamples, it will be understood that modifications and variations areencompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example,although the system is described as a photomedical treatment system, itmay be used for diagnosis as well as treatment. Further, the specificorder and/or combination of certain optical elements can change yetstill achieve the goals of virtual alignment pattern and treatment beamoverlap. For example, lens 96 in FIG. 9 can be moved to the patient'sside of combining mirror 21, as illustrated in FIG. 16. The illuminationsources 10 and 66 can be included in a single unit without optical fibercoupling, as illustrated in FIG. 17. The illumination sources 10 and 66can be placed on opposite sides of a single combining mirror 21, asillustrated in FIG. 18. The physical pattern creating the virtualalignment pattern can be located anywhere that appropriately identifiesthe tissue aligned with the treatment beam(s), including integral toviewing element 94. Additionally, it should be understood that thedescription of the invention has concentrated upon the primary functionsof the associated optical system. Secondary effects such as caused byghosting reflections, scatter, back-scatter, or other causes ofinadvertent or secondary projections or images are understood to be alsopresent. Lastly, reference to treatment beams herein includes beams ofwavelength and power effective for diagnosis as well. Accordingly, theinvention is limited only by the following claims.

1. A photomedical system for treating and/or diagnosing a patient's eye,the system comprising: a first light source for producing light; ascanning device for deflecting the light to produce a pattern of thelight on the eye; a viewing element positioned to view the eye; and analignment element aligned to the viewing element and the scanning devicefor optically indicating through the viewing element a location on theeye on which the pattern of the light will be located without projectingalignment light onto the eye.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein theviewing element comprises a lens.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein theviewing element comprises an image collection device coupled to adisplay device.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising: acontroller having an input device controlling the scanning device toadjust a size, shape, and/or arrangement of the pattern of the light onthe eye.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein an image from the eye passesthrough the alignment element and on to the viewing element.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein the alignment element includes a physicalpattern visible via the viewing element.
 7. The system of claim 6,wherein the physical pattern outlines the location on the eye on whichthe pattern of the light will be located.
 8. The system of claim 5,further comprising: a magnification device for adjustably magnifying aview of the eye as viewed by the viewing element.
 9. The system of claim8, wherein the alignment element is located at an intermediate imageplane of the magnification device.
 10. The system of claim 5, whereinthe alignment element and the viewing element are integrally formed as asingle optical element.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the visualaiming device comprises: a second light source for generating alignmentlight, wherein the alignment element is positioned to project analignment pattern of the alignment light on the viewing element and notonto the eye, and wherein the alignment pattern indicates on a view ofthe eye through the viewing element the location on the eye on which thepattern of the light will be located.
 12. The system of claim 11,wherein the alignment pattern outlines the location on the eye on whichthe pattern of the light will be located.
 13. The system of claim 11,further comprising: a magnification device for adjustably magnifying aview of the eye as viewed by the viewing element.
 14. The system ofclaim 1 1, wherein the alignment element and the second light source areintegrally formed together.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein thealignment element further projects system information on the viewingelement.
 16. The system of claim 11, further comprising: a mirror thatdirects the light toward the eye and the alignment light toward theviewing element.
 17. A photomedical system for treating and/ordiagnosing a target object, the system comprising: a light source forproducing light; a pattern generation unit for directing a pattern ofthe light to the target object; a viewing element positioned to view thetarget object; an alignment element optically coupled to the viewingelement for defining a treatment zone on the target object; and acontroller for controlling the pattern generation unit to direct thepattern of the light only within the treatment zone of the targetobject.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the viewing elementcomprises a lens.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the viewingelement comprises an image collection device coupled to a displaydevice.
 20. The system of claim 17, further comprising: a controllerhaving an input device controlling the scanning device to adjust a size,shape, and/or arrangement of the pattern of the light on the targetobject.
 21. The system of claim 17, wherein an image from the targetobject passes through the alignment element and on to the viewingelement.
 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the alignment elementincludes a physical pattern visible via the viewing element.
 23. Thesystem of claim 22, wherein the physical pattern outlines the treatmentzone.
 24. The system of claim 21, further comprising: a magnificationdevice for adjustably magnifying a view of the target object as viewedby the viewing element.
 25. The system of claim 24, wherein thealignment element is located at an intermediate image plane of themagnification device.
 26. The system of claim 21, wherein the alignmentelement and the viewing element are integrally formed as a singleoptical element.
 27. The system of claim 17, wherein the visual aimingdevice comprises: a second light source for generating alignment light,wherein the alignment element is positioned to project an alignmentpattern of the alignment light on the viewing element and not onto thetarget object, and wherein the alignment pattern indicates on a view ofthe target object through the viewing element the treatment zone. 28.The system of claim 27, wherein the alignment pattern outlines thetreatment zone on the view of the target object through the viewingelement.
 29. The system of claim 27, further comprising: a magnificationdevice for adjustably magnifying a view of the target object as viewedby the viewing element.
 30. The system of claim 27, wherein thealignment element and the second light source are integrally formedtogether.
 31. The system of claim 27, wherein the alignment elementfurther projects system information on the viewing element.
 32. Thesystem of claim 27, further comprising: a mirror that directs the lighttoward the target object and the alignment light toward the viewingelement.
 33. A method of performing a photomedical treatment ordiagnosis of a target object, the method comprising: generating an imageof the target object on a viewing element; generating a virtualalignment pattern on the viewing element, without projecting the virtualalignment image onto the target object, to define a treatment zone ofthe target object; generating light; and projecting the light onto thetarget object and only within the treatment zone defined by the virtualalignment pattern.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the generating ofthe virtual alignment pattern comprises: passing light from the targetobject through an alignment element having a physical pattern.
 35. Themethod of claim 33, wherein the generating of the virtual alignmentpattern comprises: generating alignment light, and projecting a patternof the alignment light onto the viewing element for generating thevirtual alignment pattern.
 36. The method of claim 35, furthercomprising: projecting system information on the viewing element. 37.The method of claim 33, further comprising: adjusting a magnificationlevel of the image on the viewing element.